"Oh, right, Grace. Our exchange program ends in about a month," Joanne Chase said hesitantly after accepting the gift, a thought having just occurred to her.

Grace Winslow nodded. "That’s right. In the blink of an eye, we’ve been here for five months, almost half a year. I’m starting to get a little homesick. It’s been so long since I’ve had my mom’s cooking."

"I’ve heard some of our classmates say they don’t really want to go back home. They want to stay and live abroad." Joanne Chase nodded, a smile touching her lips at the thought of Irene Lynch.

For the first eighteen years of her life, her family had never treated her kindly. Only after meeting Grace Winslow and Irene Lynch did she truly feel the warmth of a family, and she cherished it all dearly.

"To each their own. Perhaps they feel that even the air they breathe is fresher abroad," Grace Winslow mused for a moment. "You don’t need to pay them any mind; just focus on yourself. If you want to stay, then stay and continue your studies. If you want to go home, we’ll go home together when the program ends."

’She knew many people had fought for this chance to study overseas specifically to stay here. She was even aware of some who had married locals just to get a residence permit.’

’It was their choice, and she wouldn’t judge them for it.’

"Grace, are you planning to go home? You’ve adapted so well here, and I can see all the professors at the university love you. They even want you to stay. If the university really gave you the chance to stay for advanced studies, would you take it?" Joanne Chase asked, looking at Grace Winslow with uncertainty.

’People can be swayed by temptation.’

’In the face of such benefits, many people would fail the test of their convictions.’

Even Joanne Chase had wavered before.

But she had ultimately passed the test, staying true to her convictions.

Hearing this, Grace Winslow couldn’t help but laugh. "How could you even ask a question like that? I’m a Celestian. Of course I’m going back to my motherland. I came here to learn more so I could go back and help build our nation."

"I grew up under the red flag. How could I possibly betray my own country?"

"No matter how good the benefits and treatment are abroad, it doesn’t mean anything. I’m going home."

"My parents and family are all waiting for me at home."

"You shouldn’t let others influence you. You’re always overthinking things. Just study hard, seize every second to learn what you want to learn, and then bring that knowledge back home with you."

Grace Winslow reached out and poked Joanne Chase’s forehead, speaking in an exasperated tone.

Joanne Chase laughed sheepishly. "Grace, I knew you wouldn’t be tempted! It was the others. They were saying that since you’re always running around, and the professors like you so much and are even willing to offer great benefits to keep you, you’d definitely give in to the temptation. I even got into an argument with them about it today."

"Oh, and they also tried to drive a wedge between us. They said you went traveling with other people and didn’t take me along, that you’ve made new friends and don’t care about me anymore. I didn’t believe them for a second."

"They’d be better off spending that time reading a book and learning something." Grace Winslow shook her head, thoroughly disapproving.

She glanced at the time. "It’s getting late. I have to be at the lab to observe tomorrow, so I’m going to take a shower and get to bed. You should get some rest, too. Don’t overthink things. We’re sisters—closer than if we were related by blood. Don’t pay any attention to what other people say. Just stay true to yourself."

Joanne Chase nodded quickly.

Grace Winslow went back to her room, took a shower, and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

She had been very busy lately. With her return to Celestia just around the corner, she wished she could clone herself several times over to learn even more.

The next day, Grace Winslow was up at five. She did her usual exercises, came back to make breakfast, and then headed to the university before the sun was even up.

She went to the library first, racing against time to read and take notes.

When it was time for class, she immediately left for the classroom.

After her first class, she headed straight for the lab.

She was the only Celestian allowed to observe in the lab, mainly because she had an incredible talent in this field that several professors greatly admired.

However, because Grace Winslow remained noncommittal about whether she would stay, the professors didn’t let her operate any equipment, only observe.

Holding her notebook, Grace Winslow’s eyes never left the other students’ hands. She recorded their every step and noted how to use the lab equipment.

’Celestia probably doesn’t have such advanced equipment yet, but I know it will, sooner or later.’

’Besides, as long as I understand the operating principles, it’ll be simple enough to reverse-engineer one.’

After the experiment was over, Professor Stephen approached Grace Winslow again. "Ms. Winslow, you truly have a gift for experimental work. On behalf of Country Y, I sincerely invite you to stay. If you are willing to stay and become a citizen of our country, we will provide you with housing and a stable income. You won’t have to worry about your future. We can meet any request you have."

"If you can’t bear to leave your family in Celestia, you can even bring them over. We will give you a bonus of one hundred thousand dollars."

"We are truly sincere in our invitation. You are sure to become a great scientist in the future."

Hearing this, Grace Winslow gave a brilliant smile. "Professor Stephen, I’m very happy that you appreciate me so much, think so highly of me, and are willing to pay such a high price for me to stay. But I’m sorry, I am a Celestian, and I am going home. I’m not sure if you’ve ever heard of the old Celestian saying, ’A falling leaf returns to its roots.’ I cannot leave my homeland."

"I’m afraid I must decline your generous offer."

Stephen could only feel it was a pity. "What a shame. I really wanted to take you on as my student. You’re the most gifted genius I’ve ever met. You’ve achieved in a few months what takes others over a decade of hard work to master."

"Diligence can make up for a lack of skill. I’m just relying on hard work," Grace Winslow said, shaking her head.

’My learning ability is good, it’s true, but I was only able to get these results because I’d already built a solid foundation back in Celestia.’

’Back then, I came across a lot of translated documents and realized my physics knowledge was weak, so I spent over half a year cramming the fundamentals.’

’If it hadn’t been for that period of intense effort, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have now.’

After bidding farewell to Stephen, Grace Winslow went to her next class.

She was already auditing second- and third-year lectures.

Her schedule after the lab was a public lecture on physics. She listened with her full attention, taking notes.

As class ended, she overheard two students talking in low voices. They said a batch of equipment at the university had broken down and was being disposed of, ready to be sent to a scrapyard.

At these words, Grace Winslow’s eyes lit up.

’This is a golden opportunity!’

’If I take this broken equipment apart, I can see the internal construction. This is my only chance to figure out how to replicate it!’

She casually moved closer, found out the location of the scrapyard, skipped her afternoon classes, and headed straight there to buy some scrap.